Before the Grind Activate the Mind
Faith is composed of two critical elements: work and belief.
Work is the doing element. Simply getting the task done.
Whether this be training, practices or games, doing the work comes natural to most.
This is why it is the other side of faith which serves as a separator between us and opposition or obstacles.
I’m talking about belief.
Believe is the confident expectation that work will lead to desired results. Going a step forward, faith-filled belief is knowing that your specific goals will be accomplished.
Yet It is all to common for us to put in the work but lack the same level of belief.
Believe it or not, many athletes and parents don’t even know why they are working.
Sure just working for work’s sake does have merit. Hard work teaches discipline, defines character and generally strengthens us in mind and body.
Yet, we must remember humans are reasoning beings. When we add reason, purpose and clarity to our actions they become enlivened and our grind goes to new levels.
Kobe Bryant didn’t just want to be any NBA player, he had a specific desire to become the greatest player of all time.
So what is your specific desire and how do you exercise faith towards it?
Faith is confirming your child is a great athlete, even after a less than spectacular performance. Faith is continuing the training, because even though you may not yet see results, you know that its working. Faith is driving to colleges to stoke the flames of belief.
Whatever it is for you, make sure you are believing what you practice.
Believe it or not, many athletes and parents don’t even know why they are working.
But know that this isn’t easy. Often, we exercise our doubt more than our belief. We sometimes silently and subconsciously create reasons why our kids can’t succeed (i.e. not being tall, fast, skilled, or experienced enough.)
The key to overcome this mental and spiritual obstacle lies in aligning our mindset before diving into hard work. For parents, remember that your primary role is to instill unwavering belief. While external boasting may not be necessary, maintaining a positive internal dialogue and fostering belief in their potential is vital. The pivotal factor that distinguishes them from elite players is self-belief. The heights of success they can achieve are only limited by their faith in themselves.
"If you want to become better, you have to believe better."
The Power of Faith: Belief and Action
"Before we align our grind, we have to align our mind." This statement underscores the importance of mental preparation and mindset cultivation in the pursuit of athletic success. Before young athletes can fully commit to the physical grind of training and competition, they must first align their minds with a goal, giddiness or any good thing that causes them to become committed.
A strong and focused mindset serves as the foundation upon which their actions are built, enabling them to navigate challenges, setbacks, and pressures with resilience and determination.
Improving Belief: Strategies for Parents and Players
1. Cultivate a Growth Mindset
Encouraging young athletes to adopt a growth mindset can significantly enhance their belief in their abilities.
A growth mindset emphasizes the belief that skills and abilities can be developed through dedication, effort, and perseverance. Parents can support this mindset by praising their child's efforts and progress rather than focusing solely on outcomes.
Players, in turn, can cultivate a growth mindset by embracing challenges, seeking feedback, and viewing failures as opportunities for learning and growth.
One is example I often see is when players are missing shots, parents get anxious. However, developing a growth mindset requires we embrace the journey not the outcome. Consequently, parents should praise the fact that players are even shooting those shots in the first place.
See it like this: Level 1 is not having the confidence to shoot the difficult shot, Level 2 is shooting and missing, and Level 3 is developing proficiency making the shot.
2. Visualization and Positive Affirmations
Visualization techniques and positive affirmations can be powerful tools for boosting belief and confidence in young athletes.
Parents can encourage their child to visualize success, imagine themselves achieving their goals, and use positive self-talk to reinforce their belief in their abilities.
Players can incorporate visualization exercises into their pre-game routines, visualize themselves performing well under pressure, and use positive affirmations to bolster their confidence and self-belief.
Let’s be honest, not all teenagers are in tune with their whoo-whoo spiritual sides. To overcome this, one of the things I like to do is print off action photos of my kids from their games with affirmations on them. For instance, a picture of them shooting a free throw might say, ‘I am courageous and confident.” Another of them in a defensive stance might say ‘Hard word work is my super power.’
I take pictures using my phone, then email them to myself and download to my computer. I then upload the photos to Canva free version to develop these pictures in less than 10 minutes.
3. Setting Realistic Goals and Celebrating Progress
Setting realistic, achievable goals is essential for building belief and motivating young athletes. Parents can work with their child to establish short-term and long-term goals that are challenging yet attainable, providing a roadmap for progress and success.
Players can track their progress, celebrate small victories along the way, and use each achievement as evidence of their growth and improvement.
Short-term goals like the number of drives or attempts in a half can help support larger goals like averaging double-figures.
By setting and achieving goals, young athletes can strengthen their belief in their potential and capabilities, fueling their drive to excel in their sport.
Conclusion
Simply put, before we align our grind, we must align our minds. Make sure you are putting in the belief side of faith.
